COUNCILLORS are to keep battling plans to build a £50million waste burning energy plant despite being told they are likely to lose their court action and end up with legal bills of £150,000.

The controversial decision was taken in defiance of a recommendation by June Murray, head of legal services at North Lanarkshire Council, to abandon their opposition to the plan for Coatbridge.

The local authority had gone to the Court of Session, Edinburgh, to try to overturn a decision by the Scottish Government.

It had given planning permission to Shore Energy to build the plant on a landfill site next to homes and a school at Carnbroe near the A8.

The council lost the court case, but members of the planning and transportation committee have decided to lodge an appeal, despite Ms Murray warning the legal move was likely to fail.

Committee convener Councillor James Coyle said: "The decision to pursue the appeal has been taken with the best interests of residents at heart.

"The committee is well aware of the financial risk to the council, but we believe this is the right step to take."

Maggie Proctor, of the Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant, said: "The council is doing exactly what it is there to do – work for the community and make the decisions that are in our best interests.

"We commend every councillor who voted to take this appeal forward."

Even if the appeal is successful the case will be referred back to the Scottish Government and Ms Murray told councillors ministers were likely to stick to their previous decision and give the development the go-ahead for a second time.

Shore Energy boss Simon Howie said: "On the one hand we are surprised by the council decision but, on the other, it fits into the way this whole issue has been handled by some councillors."

It is not the first time North Lanarkshire councillors have ignored their officials on this plan.

Two years ago they were urged by senior planners to back the development, but the council refused to give the go-ahead.

It led to a public inquiry and, afterwards, the Scottish Government accepted a recommendation to approve the scheme on a site that was once used as a waste transfer station.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk